Visit of Field Marshal Montgomery to RGS, photograph from the 1953 Speech Day programme. RGS Archives
Monty Pays a Visit
On 15th January 1953, RGS had a special visitor – Field-Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein.
‘Monty’, as he was nicknamed, was the most famous British general of the Second World War. He commanded Allied troops in North Africa, later the invasions of Italy and Normandy.
Montgomery visited RGS alongside the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, first inspecting a guard of honour from our Combined Cadet Force (CCF) contingent. They then delivered an assembly to students, and Montgomery was asked to present a Meritorious Service Medal to the CCF Staff instructor R.S.M. O’Brien.
According to the Novo magazine report, his speech:“...could be condensed into two maxims: “Fear God and Honour the Queen” and “Speak the Truth"
Novo, April 1953, page 9
Cover of the book by Field-Marshal Montgomery, 'Normandy and the Baltic'. RGS Archives
Photograph of Headmaster OW Mitchell, and Field-Marshal Montgomery, in the front entrance of RGS. From the 1953 Speech Day programme. RGS Archives.
He then presented a copy of his book to the school, Normandy to the Baltic, with a personalised inscription. It is now safely housed in the RGS Archives.